Monks And Monasteries Tour

Package Overview

This is our signature trip to the Leh & Ladakh region and promises a unique spiritual experience for you. Take this road and you will surely find peace and tranquility.

In the past Ladakh gained importance from its strategic location at the crossroads of important trade routes, but since the Chinese authorities closed the borders with Tibet and Central Asia in the 1960s, international trade has dwindled except for tourism. Since 1974, the Government of India has successfully encouraged tourism in Ladakh. Since Ladakh is a part of strategically important Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian military maintains a strong presence in the region. The largest town in Ladakh is Leh. It is one of the few remaining abodes of Buddhism in South Asia.

The music of Ladakhi Buddhist monastic festivals, like Tibetan music, often involves religious chanting in Tibetan or Sanskrit as an integral part of the religion. These chants are complex, often recitations of sacred texts or in celebration of various festivals. Yang chanting, performed without metrical timing, is accompanied by resonant drums and low, sustained syllables. Religious mask dances are an important part of Ladakh's cultural life.

This journey is about Monks and Monasteries and about a part of our world where time has come to a standstill.

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Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrival Delhi

  You will be met on arrival at the international airport and transferred to your hotel.
  
  Delhi, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. Delhi is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land and a window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
  
  Overnight stay will be at Delhi.

• Day 2 : Delhi

  After breakfast proceed for a day tour of Old & New Delhi.
  
  A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.
  
  Enjoy the rickshaw ride at Old Delhi.
  
  An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, Rastrapati Bhawan or the official residence of the President of India and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
  
  Overnight stay will be at Delhi.

  • Hotspots : India Gate

• Day 3 : Delhi - Leh

  Early this morning you will be collected from your hotel in Delhi and driven to the airport in time to check-in for your flight to Leh.
  
  On arrival at Leh Airport, please proceed to the arrivals hall (via baggage collection and the foreign registration counter where foreigners must register themselves) where our representative will be waiting for you. You will then be driven to your hotel to check in and rest.
  
  We would advise a fairly leisurely pace as you will still be acclimatising. You may like to take a gentle walk to explore the nearby central bazaar in the evening. Very quickly developing and somewhat awash with backpackers and tourists, Leh’s busy central bazaar is worth visiting (especially if you want to pick up any souvenirs) but is perhaps not essential to a Ladakh itinerary.
  
  Overnight stay will be at Leh.

• Day 4 : Leh

  For those who are prepared to get up at around five am, we would recommend starting early and driving to Thiksey monastery to experience the early morning Buddhist prayers (you would need to leave at five thirty).
  
  Built around 600 years ago, Thiksey monastery is one of the finest examples of Ladakhi religious architecture. The monastery consists of twelve levels ascending the hillside crowned by the current lama’s private residence. Below the monastery proper are chapels and houses stretching down the hillside where one hundred monks of the Yellow Hat Buddhist sect reside. After the monastery visit, drive to Hemis which is forty five minutes away.
  
  Belonging to the Red Hat sect, Hemis was built in 1630 and is Ladakh’s largest monastery is an impressive and intriguing experience. Your guide will show you around providing you with an insight into Buddhism and a glimpse into the monks’ way of life. If you are lucky enough to be here during the annual festival (in June or July each year) you will experience dancing, a colourful pageant and an annual bazaar where people come from all over Ladakh to buy and sell wares.
  
  Overnight stay will be at Leh.

• Day 5 : Leh - Pangong Lake

  After an early breakfast you drive six hours for Pangong Lake through Chang La, a pass at 5,486 meters altitude. Pangong Lake is situated at an altitude of 4,267 meters. A long narrow basin of inland drainage, six to seven kilometer at its widest point and over 130 kilometers long, the lake is bisected by the international border between India and China. A few years back the government decided to open it to tourists though the lake and its surrounding is under army surveillance.
  
  Enjoy the landscape in the back drop of the Lake. One rarely feels so close to nature and environment and the scenery is unforgettable. Evening will be at leisure.
  
  Overnight stay will be at Pangong Resort or Camp Watermark on the shore of Lake.

  • Hotspots : Pangong Lake

• Day 6 : Pangong Lake - Leh

  Morning at leisure to explore the surroundings of lake and later you drive back to Leh. You may like to halt at Shey Palace, the ancient capital of Ladakh & Stok Palace Museum on your way back. Drive further to Leh.
  
  Overnight stay will be at Leh.

• Day 7 : Leh - Nimo - Leh

  After breakfast, you will drive to Nimo.
  
  Nimoo is a large village situated 36km west of Leh along the Indus valley at the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers. The village is characterised by impressive mountain scenery, and is considered exceptionally fertile in Ladakhi terms - lush green fields and apricot, apple, and walnut orchards abound.
  
  After spending some time in Nimo, you will drive up to the entrance of the Zanskar canyon. Then drive up to the village of Chilling, around one and a half hours from Nimoo. Chilling is a settlement that is traditionally home to metal smiths and is the only village in Ladakh that has provided copper, bronze, tin, silver and iron work to Leh through the centuries.
  
  You will get the chance to see the local metal smith at work before returning to Leh.
  
  Or, for those who are feeling more active, we can arrange a day trip to the famous monasteries at Alchi and/or Lekir, rafting one way (directly from Nimoo to Alchi – July, August and September only, grade 4 rapid) and returning by car to Leh.
  
  Situated 69kms from Leh and around one and a half hours drive from Nimoo, Alchi is the only monastery in Ladakh to be built on flat ground. The temple was founded in the 11th century and is particularly interesting for its Indian and Kashmiri influences.
  
  Founded in 14th century by Lama Dhwang Chosje, a great champion of meditation, Lekir monastery belongs to the Yellow Hat sect. After visiting the monastery you will drive back to Leh, two hours away.
  
  Overnight stay will be at Leh.

  • Themes : Hill Stations & Valleys

• Day 8 : Leh - Nubra Valley

  After an early breakfast you drive to Nubra Valley across the Khardung-La Pass (the highest motorable road in the world) at 18,390 ft, around 39kms from Leh. Nubra Valley is popularly known as Ldorma or the valley of flowers. It is situated to the North of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas.
  
  You arrive at Sumur or Hunder by afternoon and rest of the day at leisure to explore beautiful village of Sumur & Hunder with a visit to Diskit Monastery.
  
  Overnight stay will be at Diskit.

  • Themes : Hill Stations & Valleys

• Day 9 : Nubra Valley - Leh

  After your breakfast at the camp, visit the nearby high altitude desert sand dunes to enjoy a camel safari on Double Humped Bactrian Camels (Optional). Later you drive to Leh by same route across Khardung La.
  
  Overnight stay will be at Leh.

• Day 10 : Leh - Delhi

  Early this morning, you will be collected from hotel and transferred to Leh Airport in time to check-in for your return flight to Delhi. Reach hotel by afternoon and after freshening up - proceed straight to the airport for flight back home.

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Inclusions

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Package Start From

• New Delhi, Delhi, India, Asia

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Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

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This Tour is Offered by

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• 26, Gandhi Road, Near Garg World, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India - 734101
• 08069247162 (Ext : 487)
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